You Herd It Here

What You Need to Know about Storing Vehicles

First of all, maybe you are wondering, “What exactly is titled property?” Well, typically it refers to a motorized vehicle such as a car, truck, motorcycle, RV or boat and so on. Once you have paid for the item in full, whether at the time of sale or through monthly payments, you receive the physical title, which proves ownership of that item. With that being said, this property can have great monetary value. I would bet that you care about how well it’s cared for at all times, and that includes when you keep it in storage.

There are several things to consider when you plan on storing vehicles at any facility:

How long will I be storing my property?

Do I need to keep my property inside a structure or can it be stored outside in the elements?

Do I need electricity to help maintain my titled property? Is there a battery that will be stored with it for an extended length of time?

Where am I going to store my property?

Here are some pointers on what you need to know about storing vehicles so it maintains its value and stays in top condition so you can enjoy it for years to come.

How Long to Store

You need to begin by deciding how long you will be storing vehicles. If you have a recreational vehicle that you only use during the summer, like a boat or RV, you need to think about how many months out of the year you won’t be using it. Most people don’t take the boat out on the frozen lake in December, and most don’t feel like camping in January when it’s a “warm” 20 degrees outside. That means you will only be using it for 6-8 months out of the year, and can place it in storage the rest of the year.

Maybe you plan to use it all year but also keep it in storage as well; you could live in an apartment or condo where there is no room to park it or you’re not permitted to have it on site; or you could just have the preference to not have it at your home and in the way. Whatever the reason, when you store with us you will have access to your titled property 7 days a week, every day of the year. You can even request 24-hour gate access if that is necessary.

What Type of Storage

Then you need to think about whether you want to keep your titled property outside in a parking space or inside a storage unit. If you have an RV, most likely you will want a parking space to keep it all year long, providing easy access to maneuver it in and out of the facility. You can winterize it and park it on site where it will be kept safe inside our fence that is protected by an access code entry gate and security cameras. If you plan to only use storage during the spring or summer, rain could be a big factor. If you will be storing in the fall or winter, freezing temperatures as well as snow and ice are to be considered. You need to remember that it will be outside at all times and exposed to the elements and temperature shifts, and make sure you are OK with that.

If you have a prized Harley Davidson, however, you may want to consider parking it inside a storage unit, even during the gentle months of spring and fall. By choosing a storage unit, your titled property will be inside, under a roof and enclosed at all times, very similar to a garage. Storage units can come in many sizes; the smaller units able to accommodate something like a motorcycle and the larger units able to accommodate your seafoam green ’57 Chevy. Some of the over-sized storage units can even fit a small to mid-size RV.

Take some time and really think about this question. You want to feel comfortable with how you are storing vehicles. Typically, a storage unit will cost a bit more than an outside parking space. However, that extra cost may be worth it if you are storing an antique or classic car or something you want to protect from the elements. You can also read one of our previous blogs, “Take the Guesswork Out of Selecting the Right Self Storage Unit” to help you decide.

Electricity and Batteries

Most titled property will not need electricity to maintain it while in storage. Many storage facilities do not have an option for electricity because it’s just not commonly needed. If what you plan to store will need an energy source, you should call ahead to your chosen storage facility and make sure you can gain access to an outlet.

One thing that most motorized vehicles do have is a battery. Do you plan to leave the battery in your vehicle at all times, or will you be removing it while in storage? If you want to keep it charged and help it last longer, removing it when you place your property into storage for extended times is recommended. You can keep the battery with your property, like inside the RV or in the cabin of your boat. Luckily, batteries are not as susceptible to the cold as they are to extreme heat, and you are likely going to remove it only during the colder months of the year. If you would rather not leave it with your property, you can always choose to remove it completely and store it at home in a more controlled environment.

Where to Store

If you take some time and do some internet searches on self storage in your area, you will likely find several that are a reasonable distance from your home. We recommend that you visit the facilities you are thinking about using and talk to the property manager before making your decision. Ask them to give you a tour and show you what parking area or storage unit in which your property could be stored.

You should also get the answers to these questions before you decide where you will be storing vehicles, whether you ask the property manager over the phone or make observations when you tour the facility:

Some of these questions may seem odd, like the one about being aesthetically pleasing. But keep in mind that a facility in good repair and appealing to the eye is one that’s well maintained and has a property manager who cares about his or her facility, and who also cares about your belongings.

Also note that I didn’t mention pricing in the list of questions. Storage units between competitors usually have very similar rental rates, and they fluctuate depending on the market. You want your titled property to be secure and protected when you place it in storage, and cost shouldn’t be the deciding factor. A storage unit or parking space that costs a little more at a facility with a fence, security cameras and a property manager on site is well worth the few extra bucks if the cheaper one doesn’t offer the same security features. Basically, you will get what you pay for when it comes to pricing – the cheaper the rates, the less security features and options you will have at that facility. Whichever property you choose, make sure you feel as comfortable storing vehicles there as you would keeping it in your own driveway.

If you would like to talk more about storing vehicles and see how we can help, you can visit any of our locations or contact us at any time. Our property managers are more than happy to talk with you and help you decide on what type of storage will be best for your titled property.